Defend Your Ground

Episode 54: Halt the Dolores National Monument

In this episode of the Defend Your Ground podcast, Ben Burr and Simone Griffin discuss the proposed Dolores National Monument in Western Colorado with local advocates Sean and Danielle Pond. The conversation delves into the implications of the monument on public land use, local economies, and community involvement. The Ponds share their journey into advocacy, the misconceptions surrounding the monument, and the potential economic impacts on their community. They emphasize the importance of local voices in the debate over land management and the need for public engagement to oppose the monument's designation.
Halt the Dolores National Monument Petition: https://www.change.org/p/halt-the-designation-of-the-dolores-river-national-monument
https://blueribboncoalition.org/help-us-oppose-the-dolores-river-canyon-national-monument/
 

Episode 53: Addressing the Haters with The Gambler 500

In this episode of the Defend Your Ground podcast, Ben Burr and Simone Griffin interview Tate Morgan from Sons of Smokey and the Gambler 500. They discuss the origins of the Gambler 500, a race that evolved into the largest trash cleanup event in the world. Tate explains how the Sons of Smokey organization was created to fund the trash cleanup efforts and develop an app for reporting and mapping trash sites on public lands. The conversation also touches on the perception of the Blue Ribbon Coalition and their role in advocating for off-road enthusiasts and protecting access to public lands. In this part of the conversation, Ben and Tate discuss various topics related to public land usage and management. They touch on the impact of national monuments on access and activity, the misconception that motorized users cause more damage than non-motorized users, the importance of getting people out on public lands to foster stewardship, the balance between concentration and dispersion of recreational activities, the role of technology in accessing new areas, the need for responsible use and stewardship among side-by-side users, and the impact of closures and restrictions on public land. They also address the perception that the motorized community is to blame for closures and emphasize the importance of unity and collaboration among different user groups. Ben highlights the need for fair and evidence-based decision-making and challenges the narratives that often dominate public land discussions. In this final part of the conversation, Ben and Simone discuss the importance of education and advocacy in public land management. They address the need for organizations like Tread Lightly and Sons of Smokey to educate users about responsible recreation. They also emphasize the role of administrative advocacy and litigation in influencing land management decisions. The conversation then shifts to the Lakeview Resource Management Plan in southern Oregon, specifically the Christmas Valley Sand Dunes. They discuss the different alternatives proposed in the plan and the potential impact on access and recreation. They encourage listeners to submit comments and get involved in the public comment process.
Mentioned in the show:
Download Sons of Smokey App: SonsOfSmokey on the App StoreApplehttps://apps.apple.com › app › sonsofsmokey
Comment on Christmas Valley plan: https://blueribboncoalition.org/lakeview-oregon-rmp-christmas-valley-dunes-are-at-risk/
Send feedback on Owyhee wilderness proposals: https://blueribboncoalition.org/oppose-the-owyhee-wilderness-in-eastern-oregon-and-western-idaho/

Episode 52: Special Guest Ken Ivory Discusses Utah's Legal Challenge to Federal Land Ownership

Representative Ken Ivory joins the podcast to discuss Utah's historic lawsuit challenging federal ownership of public land. The lawsuit, if successful, could impact how public land is managed not only in Utah but across the country. Ivory explains the background of the lawsuit and the promises made by the federal government that haven't been fulfilled. He emphasizes the importance of multiple use and sustained yield of public lands and criticizes the federal government's management practices. Ivory also addresses concerns about the potential consequences of Utah winning the lawsuit and highlights the need for constitutional questions to be addressed.>>>> Read the Complaint Here <<<<

Episode 51: Yuma East Travel Plan Could Close 500 Miles of Off-road Trails in Arizona

In this episode, Ben and Simone discuss the Yuma East travel management plan in Southwestern Arizona. They explain the different alternatives proposed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the potential impact on off-roading routes. They highlight the importance of understanding the terms 'OHV limited' and 'administrative use only' when evaluating the proposed closures. They also discuss the presence of wilderness areas and lands with wilderness characteristics in the plan and the implications for road closures. Ben and Simone emphasize the need for public comments and potential litigation to challenge the BLM's interpretation of public land management laws.
Comment on the Plan Here: https://www.sharetrails.org/yuma-east-travel-management-plan-open-for-public-comment-possibility-to-close-over-500-miles-of-routes/

Episode 50: No One Wants to Camp in a Burn Scar

In this episode, Ben and Simone discuss the current wildfire season and the importance of responsible forest management. They highlight the impact of wildfires on air quality, road closures, and public access to recreation areas. Simone explains that the majority of the comments she submits are related to vegetation projects and reducing wildfire risk. They also discuss the opposition to forest management projects from environmental groups, who argue that these projects harm wildlife and the natural ecosystem. Ben emphasizes the need for political decision-making and local involvement in land management decisions.

Episode 49: Chevron Deference Overturned: What Comes Next?

In this episode of the Defend Your Ground podcast, Ben and Simone discuss Chevron Deference and its recent overturning by the Supreme Court. They highlight the problems with Chevron Deference, which allowed executive branch agencies to interpret laws without judicial review, leading to an imbalance of power and lack of accountability. They address concerns about the loss of expertise and argue that the administrative state was already influenced by corporations and special interests. They emphasize the need for the American people to take back their government and hold Congress accountable. They also discuss the potential impact of the Supreme Court's decision on land management and other federal regulations.

Episode 48: Why Don't You Just Walk

In this episode, Ben and Simone discuss the issue of disability access in outdoor recreation on public lands. They highlight the importance of motorized recreation for individuals with physical disabilities and the therapeutic benefits it provides. They mention that they consistently bring up disability access in their comments and lawsuits, but the agencies often ignore these concerns. They also discuss specific cases, such as the proposed closure of Arch Canyon in Bears Ears National Monument, where disability access is at risk. Ben and Simone encourage individuals with disabilities to share their stories and advocate for their rights to access public lands.Share Your Stories: https://www.sharetrails.org/current-issues/operation-accessible-2/
Comment on Bears Ears Plan: https://www.sharetrails.org/bears-ears-draft-resource-management-plan-released-for-public-comment/
 
 
 
 

Episode 47: BLM Releases Final Version of Conservation Leasing Rule

Summary:
This episode discusses the final draft of the BLM landscape health and conservation rule, which aims to flood money into the public land system to control management. The rule introduces new types of leases, such as restoration and mitigation leases, and prioritizes areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs). The hosts express concerns about the rule's lack of statutory authority and its potential impact on motorized recreation. They also question the need for the rule, as many of its provisions are already covered by existing laws and programs. The conversation discusses the proposed conservation rule and its potential impact on public lands. The hosts argue that the rule is a power grab by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and gives unilateral authority to state directors to designate Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) without congressional approval. They highlight the potential consequences for grazing allotments and the transfer of wealth from public land users to environmental groups through mitigation funds. They emphasize the need for congressional oversight and support for the West Act.
 
Takeaways
The BLM landscape health and conservation rule aims to flood money into the public land system to control management.
The rule introduces new types of leases, such as restoration and mitigation leases, and prioritizes areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs).
There are concerns about the rule's lack of statutory authority and its potential impact on motorized recreation.
Many of the provisions in the rule are already covered by existing laws and programs. The proposed conservation rule gives unilateral authority to state directors of the BLM to designate ACECs without congressional approval.
The rule could have significant consequences for grazing allotments and other public land uses.
Mitigation funds created through the rule could result in a transfer of wealth from public land users to environmental groups.
The criteria for ACEC designation are vague and could be subject to abuse.
Congressional oversight and support for the West Act are necessary to address the concerns raised by the rule.
Sound Bites
"The BLM landscape conservation rule will only affect BLM land. The Wall Street rule would have affected everything."
"There is an organized political movement that is doing everything it can to remove roads off the landscape so that it can create wilderness."
"This is a land grab. This is them saying, we no longer need presidents in the antiquities act. We no longer need Congress and wilderness designations."
"Once they get it designated as an ACEC, then it's going to be nearly impossible to remove that ACEC designation."
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and recent events
04:46 Legislation and potential legal challenges
09:29 Prioritization of ACECs in the rule
13:44 Concerns about the rule's provisions
23:32 Ulterior motives and the need for the rule
26:57 Unilateral Authority: The Power Grab by the Bureau of Land Management
29:35 Consequences for Grazing Allotments and Public Land Uses
36:23 Wealth Transfer: Mitigation Funds and Environmental Groups
41:21 Vague Criteria: Potential for Abuse in ACEC Designation
48:23 Congressional Oversight and the Need for the West Act